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Setting up email on your Mac, iPad, or iPhone can be done easily and quickly. Using Apple Mail’s built-in email software, you can automatically set up your email account using popular providers such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Apple’s iCloud. All you need is your email address and login information.
How to Set Up Mail on Your Mac
- Open System Preferences on your Mac
- Click on the “Internet Accounts” icon
- If you already use iCloud, it will be listed on the left. Otherwise, click the “+” button to add a new account
- Choose your email provider from the list (e.g. Gmail)
- Log in using your usual details
- Select which apps you want to use with the account
- Open Mail to start sending and receiving emails
If you have a Hotmail account, the set-up process is a bit more complicated. You can find detailed instructions here: How to Set Up Hotmail on a Mac.
You can also add an email account directly from Apple Mail itself.
- Open Apple Mail
- Go to Mail > Accounts (or Preferences > Accounts)
If you need to disconnect or disable any of these accounts later, you can simply select them and click the minus (-) sign on the same screen.
To learn how to set up iCloud on your Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Windows PC, read this article: How to Set Up iCloud on Your Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Windows PC.
Set Up Email on an iPhone or iPad
- Go to “Settings,” then “Mail,” then “Accounts”
- Tap “Add Account”
- Select your email provider from the list
- Log in with your email information
- Tap “Save” when done
- Open Mail to access your email
If you don’t want to see emails from a particular account anymore, you can remove it by going to “Settings,” then “Accounts,” and selecting “Delete account”.
You can also change the sender name of your email in Apple Mail. Learn how to do it here: How to Change Your Email Sender Name in Apple Mail.
Add an Email Manually
If your email provider is not listed in the options, you can still add it manually using these steps:
- On your iOS device: go to “Account” > “Other” > “Add Email Account”
- On your Mac: go to System Preferences > Internet Accounts > Add Other Account
- Add your name, email address, and password. You can also add an account description
- Tap “Next.” If Mail can’t find your account settings, you’ll need to enter them manually
- Select either IMAP or POP (most likely IMAP, but check with your provider)
- Add the incoming and outgoing mail server details from your provider
- Tap “Save”
If you’re looking for a free email program better than Mail, check out this article: Best Free Alternatives to Mail on Mac.
For more helpful tips and advice on using Apple Mail, read these articles:
- How to Stop Spam in Mac Mail
- Best Mail Alternatives for Mac Users
- Set Up Out of Office Reply in Mail on Mac
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I add multiple email accounts on my Apple device?
Yes, you can add as many email accounts as you like on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. The process is the same for each account you add.
2. Can I change my email provider after I’ve set up my email account?
Yes, you can change your email provider at any time. However, you will need to go through the setup process again with your new email provider’s details.